Kentucky State Fair Board Entertainment Manager

The Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP 235 2600000369) for a Personal Service Contract to hire an Entertainment Manager to serve the organization during the eleven-day Kentucky State Fair held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. The procurement seeks a qualified individual or organization to book entertainment acts, negotiate contracts with entertainers and their representatives, review resulting contracts, and produce actual stage performances. The Entertainment Manager will coordinate all show logistics including security, stagehands, sound and lighting services, catering, and transportation while utilizing the KSFB's Purchasing Department to procure necessary items and services. Key deliverables include entertainment bookings, contract negotiations, stage production management, and coordination of performance logistics. Required qualifications include documented experience in booking entertainment acts, managing stage productions, and negotiating contracts for state fairs, festivals, or mass entertainment events, as well as submission of a detailed resume demonstrating personal qualifications and expertise. Proposals will be evaluated on a maximum of 1,000 points, distributed across three categories: Previous Experience (350 points), Personal Qualifications and Expertise (250 points), and Cost Proposal (400 points). The RFP was originally released on March 20, 2026, with written questions due by March 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, anticipated question responses by April 3, 2026, and an initial proposal due date of April 10, 2026; Addendum No. 2 extended the closing date to April 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. All proposals must be submitted electronically through Kentucky's Vendor Self Service eProcurement system, with vendors required to complete pre-registration 24 to 48 hours prior to submission, and proposals must remain valid for a minimum of six months after the due date.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are noted in the available RFP documentation. Offerors must agree to receive no compensation from artists for these services, with any expected reimbursable expenses itemized separately on the designated Cost Proposal Form. The anticipated initial contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with the KSFB reserving the right to renew for up to two additional two-year periods subject to Legislative Research Commission approval. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is provided in the procurement documents. Contracts will not become effective until properly executed and filed with the Legislative Research Commission's Government Contract Review Committee. The specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the available RFP materials; however, cost proposals will be evaluated as 40 percent of the total scoring criteria. Contact for this procurement is Tim Wiard at the Kentucky State Fair Board Purchasing Department, telephone 502-367-5245 or tim.wiard@kyvenues.com, who serves as the sole point of contact for this solicitation.